Fred Kaemmer Works

After graduating from college, Fred Kaemmer began working with glass as a distraction from the nagging question of, “what now?” He took several summer workshops and eventually enrolled at U W-River Falls to further explore hot glass and its possibilities. He now works full-time with hot glass in a studio that he built and owns in St. Paul.

Artist's Statement

In my work, I like to use traditional decorative elements of glassblowing, including frit, glass cane and metal leaf, in unorthodox ways. I often use these elements on a piece’s interior surface to create unusual textures or patterns. It is an approach to glassblowing that works against the grain of conventional glass decoration – most decorative elements are added to the surface or sandwiched between layers of glass. This creates a piece that is meant to be viewed from only one direction. By working on the interior surface, I create vessels that more fully engage the viewer. The result edges the piece away from its utilitarian and traditional foundation and toward a more sculptural and interesting work of art.

This body of work is made by lining the interior of each vessel with sheets of silver and/or copper leaf by hand while the piece is still on the punty.  I put on a thin Kevlar glove and place each sheet of metal onto the inner surface while my assistant keeps the piece warm and on center. Once the interior is completely covered, I then heat the top, squeeze the opening down and knock off the extra to create the small opening of the finished vessel.  The heat required to close down the top allows the metals and base color of the piece to interact and create a new and unique palette of color and pattern.  Some pieces have been sandblasted and acid etched to give them a matte finish.